La Reine Margot (1954)

Synopsis
Though the screenplay for La Reine Margot (The Queen Margot) was written by legendary filmmaker Abel Gance, the directorial reins were handled by Jean Dreville. Adapted from a novel by Alexandre Dumas, the film centers around Margot (Jeanne Moreau), the headstrong sister of France's King Charles IX (Robert Porte). Consigned to a politically expedient marriage to Huguenot prince Henry de Navarre (Andre Versini), Margot nonetheless carries on a romance with the handsome Count De la Mole (Armando Francioli). This romantic intrigue is played out against Charles' slaughter of the Huguenots, and the contrast is rather jarring. Francoise Rosay steals the show as Margot's mother, Queen Catherine. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide